The Narrow Path

The Narrow Path, 12 x 12

St. Simons Island, GA is known for its huge oak trees which provide wonderful shade and beautiful dappled light. When I saw this path, I was particularly drawn to the contrast between the light in the distance and the sense of shelter under the darkened tree canopy. This site was part of a plantation in the early 1800's. Now it's the home of Epworth By The Sea, a beautiful conference grounds (and a favorite painting location for me!)

12th Street Palms

12th Street Palms, 12 x 9

.

In an attempt to paint on the beach one morning (still on the GA coast), I realized that although it was early, I was already too late. The sun was way too high and the light was just too bright without an umbrella or some sort of covering. However, just over the dunes these palm trees were casting beautiful, crisp shadows and there was a big shady spot to stand in!

Before the Rain

Before the Rain, 12 x 12

My second day in Georgia started out overcast and threatening rain. The foggy marine layer kept things cooler and enabled me to paint this moody view of the marsh. If the sun had been out it would have driven me under cover and out of range. When the rain finally did come, it was just a sprinkle. Later that night, we got the downpour.

Cabin at Taylor Fish Camp

Cabin at Taylor Fish Camp, 9 x 12

When my husband was a kid, his father used to take him and siblings to the undeveloped (then) north end of St. Simons Island to go fishing and crabbing at Taylor Fish Camp. It's on the site of a ruined plantation and the land is closed to the public these days. However, my dear friend and island painting buddy, Alyson Tucker, was able to get us in (thanks Alyson). This one room cabin is believed to be leftover slave lodgings from the plantation days before the civil war. The whole place has an amazing sense of history.

View from the Landing

View from the Landing, 12 x 16

Welcome to the Golden Isles of Southern Georgia! I have just returned from a painting trip on St. Simons Island - one of my favorite places ever. EVER. I am so lucky that my in-laws who live there are fabulous, and they love to have me come and paint. I painted this marsh view from the porch of the Village Creek Landing, a restaurant known for its fabulous Low Country Fish Boils and this incredible view. It's closing down, so it's the end of an era. The view will still be there, but I will miss that boiled dinner...

Morning in the Field

Morning in the Field, 5 x 7, SOLD

.

There is nothing quite like the first light of the day...

.

This is the last of my "places I wanted to paint in person but was unable to" series (yes, photographs come in handy in such cases!) I have been painting in Georgia for the last two weeks and just got home tonight. I will begin posting my work from that trip as soon as I get it photographed. Thank you all for your kind words while I was gone; I truly appreciate your encouragement!

See more Small Works

Grain Silos

Grain Silos, 7 x 5, SOLD

.

I think these silos held grain but but to be completely honest, I am not really sure. :) I just loved the cylindrical shapes and the way the sun was hitting them.

.

See more Small Works

Warehouse Row

Warehouse Row, 5 x 7

These old warehouses in the late afternoon reminded me of pastel Monopoly pieces all sitting in a row. (Houses though, definitely NOT hotels.) Another neighborhood in Fredericksburg at dusk.

See more Small Works

Ivory Tower

Ivory Tower, 7 x 5, SOLD

This old tower stands in a field outside of Austin. Every time I pass by, I slow down and study it from all angles. When I figured out that it is some kind of fire safety training tower I liked it even more... the smaller building actually has evidence of flames around the windows. It's comforting to know our firemen practice with real fire!

See More Small Works

Corner House

Corner House, 7 x 5

End of day in Fredericksburg, Texas. Such dramatic light...

See more Small Works

Old Main Street

Old Main Street, 7 x 5, SOLD

Boarded up windows and empty storefronts was all that was left of this little downtown shopping area I drove through. I failed to write down the name of this town that was so deserted, but I found myself easily imagining it in a more lively time. To me it's sad, I am not a big fan of "progress". :)

See more Small Works

The Road Goes On Forever

The Road Goes On Forever, 5 x 7, SOLD

For the next two weeks I will be on a painting trip in Georgia. While I am out of pocket, I will be posting a series of small paintings based on images from the road. These are painted from photos taken on my travels of places I wanted to stop and paint, but couldn't (for one reason or another.) This is the first of that little collection - a country road in Fredericksberg, Texas.

See more Small Works

Johnson Pond

Johnson Pond, 6 x 6, SOLD

.

I have some friends who wake up and drink their coffee looking at this pond every morning. How great is that? It's so quiet and removed from the rush of life...

.

See more Small Works

Circle Corral

Circle Corral, 6 x 6

I love the long shadows early in the morning... this corral couldn't contain them!

See more Small Works

Shady Crowd

Shady Crowd, 12 x 12

On hot Texas afternoons, the shade is the only place to be. These cows found a cool spot and were not about to budge; no matter that they were practically on top of each other!

Greeting the Morning

Greeting the Morning, 9 x 12

Another Granbury painting - On Saturday morning, a few of us got up early to catch the first light. We had to paint extra fast, because the light really changes fast at that time (plus there was that hot breakfast waiting at our B&B.) These tall pines seemed to be greeting the new day as much as we were!

ALSO, I want to thank a blogging friend of mine, Jane Hunt, for giving me the Kreativ Blogger award!!! It is a real honor to recieve this, especially from another artist. She is a wonderful painter and I would love for you all to go straight to her blog and check out her work!

Across the Bay

Across the Bay, 12 x 9

Lake Granbury is a dammed up river that runs through the town of Granbury, Texas... it seems like every time you make a turn you are crossing over it again. These long reflections at the end of the day were too gorgeous to pass up.

Briggs Field

Briggs Field, 12 x 9

.

The Plein Air Austin painting weekend was a great time. I travelled to Granbury with my good buddies Julie Davis and Lyn Cohagan; all of us determined to paint on our way. Well, it was a little like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride! We veered off the main road numerous times - stopping, starting, u-turning - all in search of possible painting sites. Julie was a good sport with the map in her lap at all times and Lyn never missed a turn as we caravanned our way. We finally ended up at this field in the little town of Briggs, Texas. Such good times!